DOGFIGHT Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

dogfight

noun

ˈdȯg-ˌfīt

Definition of dogfight

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dogfight With both of the Falcons’ quarterbacks assumed to be in a dogfight for the starting job now out with injuries, 22-year-old Jack Strand has taken the majority of snaps with the first-team offense to begin camp. — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 Miami-Dade is facing a trash crisis after the main waste facility burned down and replacing it turned into a political dogfight. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Its open world feels alive with bustling cities, dangerous deserts, and space dogfights. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 There’s also a four-player battle mode where players can team up as Star Fox or the evil Star Wolf team and engage in massive dogfights through space. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dogfight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight

Noun

The Chiefs-Jets all-time series is certainly not considered one of the great NFL rivalries, but the teams have a long history.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
Like Cassavetes, Jaglom tended to be almost single-mindedly focused on interpersonal relationships — romantic ones, but also friendships and rivalries between men and between women.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing on X late Friday that a gang leader was killed, without identifying him.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
The attention surfaced new accusations of misconduct against sitting members and thrust a spotlight onto others that were part of ongoing legal battles.

— Anna Liss-Roy, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

The pair had previously engaged in a quarterback duel that lasted well into fall camp, so Florida remained confident in its backup.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Her biggest liberty is a duel between Herbert Nordrum’s Colonel Brandon and Frank Dillane’s John Willoughby, which Austen mentions but keeps offstage.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

In the team competition, Granada Hills edged Palisades by one stroke, 416-417, to end the Dolphins’ five-year reign, which was one short of the City record set by Granada Hills from 2001-06 and equaled by the Highlanders from 2011-16.

— Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
The only worthy competition, so far, is Adults, a zanier, higher-energy show in the tradition of Broad City and Happy Endings—and one that gained some depth in this year’s great second season.

— Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Alternative data creates opportunities to assess people whom traditional scoring struggles to understand, but those opportunities come with responsibility.

— Artem Lalaiants, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

This adds another layer of automation to expeditionary mine warfare operations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Attrition declined sharply during the later training stages, with 5% during the second phase, which emphasizes combat diving, and 3% during the third phase, which focuses on land warfare.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

Whether those negotiations can prevent another major confrontation remains unclear.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The designation could expose individuals accused of working with MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law and heighten the risk of military confrontation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

dogfaces

dogfight

dogfights

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“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of dogfight

noun

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